A basic set of clubs is all any golfer needs to start playing. A driver and two fairway woods, 3 thru 9-irons, pitching wedge, sand wedge and a putter, will get you started. As you improve, additional, more specific clubs can be added to fit with your abilities. You can’t carry more than 14 clubs in your bag at any one time (USGA limit).
Determining Your Ability Level
Before buying a set of clubs, first determine your ability level.
Our recomendations for:
1. The low-handicap golfer
A low-handicap player has a single-digit handicap, meaning he or she generally scores less than 10 strokes over par, or an 82 or less on a par-72 course.
1. The low-handicap golfer
A low-handicap player has a single-digit handicap, meaning he or she generally scores less than 10 strokes over par, or an 82 or less on a par-72 course.
Woods:
The low-handicap player should carry a driver and at least one fairway wood, most likely the 3-wood.
The low-handicap player should carry a driver and at least one fairway wood, most likely the 3-wood.
Irons:
The low-handicap player will benefit from lower irons in his bag, because the three or four-iron are difficult clubs to hit but can be very useful if they can be controlled.
The low-handicap player will benefit from lower irons in his bag, because the three or four-iron are difficult clubs to hit but can be very useful if they can be controlled.
Wedges:
A minimum of 3 wedges–sand wedge, pitching wedge and either a lob wedge or approach wedge–in their bags, with a maximum 4-degree difference between each one.
A minimum of 3 wedges–sand wedge, pitching wedge and either a lob wedge or approach wedge–in their bags, with a maximum 4-degree difference between each one.
2. The mid-handicap golfer
The mid-handicap golfer plays “bogey golf,” meaning his or her score averages 1 over par on each hole, or somewhere in the 11-20 handicap range.
The mid-handicap golfer plays “bogey golf,” meaning his or her score averages 1 over par on each hole, or somewhere in the 11-20 handicap range.
Woods:
In addition to the driver and a 3-wood and a 5-wood, consider adding a 7-wood or even a 9-wood. These fairway woods give much better control and consistency than the harder to hit long irons.
In addition to the driver and a 3-wood and a 5-wood, consider adding a 7-wood or even a 9-wood. These fairway woods give much better control and consistency than the harder to hit long irons.
Irons:
Usually only a 3 through 9 are recommended, since the 2-iron is very difficult to hit consistently.
Usually only a 3 through 9 are recommended, since the 2-iron is very difficult to hit consistently.
Wedges:
Three different wedges are recommended- pitching wedge, sandwedge, and either a lob wedge or approach wedge.
Three different wedges are recommended- pitching wedge, sandwedge, and either a lob wedge or approach wedge.
3. The high-handicap golfer
The high-handicap golfer is usually a beginner or has not played enough to reach the mid-handicap level. The high-handicapper usually shoots close to or over 100.
The high-handicap golfer is usually a beginner or has not played enough to reach the mid-handicap level. The high-handicapper usually shoots close to or over 100.
Woods:
You may not even want to have a driver in your bag. Instead, go with the 3-wood as your off-the-tee wood and add the easier-to-hit 7- and 9-wood.
You may not even want to have a driver in your bag. Instead, go with the 3-wood as your off-the-tee wood and add the easier-to-hit 7- and 9-wood.
Irons:
3- thru 9-iron, and consider replacing the 3 and 4 with hybrids.
3- thru 9-iron, and consider replacing the 3 and 4 with hybrids.
Wedges:
Up to 3 wedges – pitching wedge, sand wedge, and either a lob wedge or approach wedges should be carried.
Up to 3 wedges – pitching wedge, sand wedge, and either a lob wedge or approach wedges should be carried.
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